Using Item A, asses the relative significance of material and cultural factors in explaining low levels of achievement among the poor

There is a clear trend towards low levels of achievement for the poor. Many sociologists believe that this is down to both material and cultural factors.

A cultural factor is Intellectual development. Many sociologists believe that working class homes lack the books, educational toys and activities that would stimulate a child’s intellectual development. This is highlighted by J.W.B Douglas who found that working class children scored lower on a test of ability than middle class pupils. He argues that this is because working class parents are less likely to support their child’s intellectual development through reading with them or other educational activities at home.

A material factor is housing. Poor housing can affect a child's achievement both directly and indirectly. For example, overcrowding can have a direct effect by making it harder for the child to study. Poor housing can also have an indirect effect. For example children in crowded homes run higher risks of having accidents.

A cultural factor is compensatory education. This is a policy designed to tackle the problem of cultural deprivation by providing extra resources to schools and communities in deprived areas. This means that cultural deprivation is made less threatening to a childs education as they can get the same resources as a child with higher cultural capital.

A material factor is diet and health. Marilyn Howard notes that children from poorer houses have lower intakes of energy, vitamins and minerals. This poor nutrition can affect health by weakening the immune system and lowering the child's energy levels. This can therefore result in absences from school and in turn their results may suffer.

In conclusion, whilst there are cultural and material factors as to why poorer children perform worse in schools, we have seen the government taking steps to eliminating the cultural deprivation, making me believe that material deprivation is a larger problem.